Red light cameras were introduced to Australia in 1983 with the objective of improving road safety at signalised intersections. The purpose of this report was to evaluate the red light camera program by conducting an observational before-and-after study of intersections fitted with red light cameras. This was achieved by analysing accident statistics at eight red light camera sites and eight control sites. The period of study commenced five years prior to the installation dates of the red light cameras, and concluded in 2001. The statistical technique used to evaluate the program was the Empirical Bayes method. The red light camera program was evaluated by analysing a variety of accident characteristics. This included a study of accident frequency, severity and type. The results on an annual basis showed that the total frequency of accidents decreased by 11.7 per cent. (Author/publisher)
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